Retail sales in Ningxia grew by 19.8 percent to 3.62 billion yuan (US$ 556 million) in April. Jewelry sales jumped by 90.4 percent and household appliances by 53.8 percent, according to statistics released by the region's Commerce Department.

From January to April total sales of consumer goods amounted to nearly 15 billion yuan (US$ 2.3 billion), up 18.2 percent from the same period last year.

And sales of consumer goods continued to grow in April according to an employee at the Commerce Department. Statistics show that sales of the region's big retailers rose 28.7 percent to nearly 2 billion yuan (US$ 307 million).

Gold and silver accessories and household appliances have become hot in the region's consumer market reflecting the soaring price of precious metals, increased consumer expectations, and preferential policies on purchases of household appliances.

Discounts and promotions rolled out by automobile dealers ensured car sales remained buoyant despite the rise in oil prices.